Investigation of factors influencing timely initiation of breastfeeding and delayed exclusive breastfeeding in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20251873Keywords:
Factors influencing, Timely initiation of breastfeeding, Delayed exclusive breastfeeding in India, Early initiation of breastfeedingAbstract
Breastfeeding is a critical component of infant health and development, providing essential nutrients, antibodies, and immune factors. Despite the recognized benefits, rates of early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding remain suboptimal in India. This systematic review aims to investigate the factors influencing timely initiation of breastfeeding and delayed exclusive breastfeeding in India. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, and studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The review identified several key factors influencing breastfeeding practices, including maternal factors (age, education, parity, socioeconomic status), infant factors (birth weight, gestational age, health status), socio-cultural factors (cultural beliefs, traditions, family support), and healthcare system factors (access to skilled birth attendants, antenatal care, postnatal support). Enabling factors for timely breastfeeding initiation included high maternal education, urban residence, delivery in a healthcare facility, and receiving breastfeeding counseling. Impediments included low maternal education, rural residence, home births, lack of antenatal care, and delayed recognition of colostrum importance. Factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding included maternal education, attitudes, confidence in milk production, infant latching and suckling skills, and socio-cultural beliefs. The review highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to address these factors, including enhancing maternal education, promoting positive attitudes, providing skilled support, addressing socio-cultural beliefs, strengthening healthcare systems, and evaluating interventions such as midwife-led care units. Future research should focus on implementing and evaluating interventions to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding, particularly among working mothers and marginalized communities.
Metrics
References
Shimizu M, Nakata Y, Takahashi K. Current findings and gaps in early initiation of breastfeeding practices in sub-Saharan African countries: A scoping review. J Glob Health. 2023;13:04036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.13.04036
Majumdar S, Dasgupta A, Mukhopadhyay M, Das S. Antenatal mothers: exploring their perception of breast feeding in a village of West Bengal, India. Int J Comm Med Public Health. 2017;3(1):353-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20151590
Bundy DAP, de Silva N, Horton S, Jamison DT, Patton GC. Child and adolescent: health and development : Volume 8. Disease Control Priorities. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. 2017.
Engelhart A, Mason S, Nwaozuru U, Obiezu-Umeh C, Carter V, Shato T, et al. Sustainability of breastfeeding interventions to reduce child mortality rates in low, middle-income countries: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Front Health Serv. 2022;2:889390. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2022.889390
Kumar R, Amir-Ud-Din R, Ahmed J, Asim M, Rashid F, Khan SA, et al. Correlates of early initiation of breast feeding and prelacteal feeding: a cross-sectional study in Sindh province of Pakistan. BMJ Open. 2023;13(2):e069902. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069902
Wahdaliya NA, Baroya NM, Kusumawardani DA. Literature Review: Factors affecting the implementation of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (EIBF) in maternity and breastfeeding mothers. Indonesian J Nursing Midwifery. 2023;11(1):39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21927/jnki.2023.11(1).39-54
Morse JM, Jehle C, Gamble D. Initiating breastfeeding: a world survey of the timing of postpartum breastfeeding. Int J Nurs Stud. 1990;27(3):303-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7489(90)90045-K
World Health Day. Global Heart. Available at: https://globalheartjournal.com/articles/10.1016/j.gheart.2013.04.002. Accessed on 05 April 2025.
Cai X, Wardlaw T, Brown DW. Global trends in exclusive breastfeeding. Int Breastfeed J. 2012;7(1):12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-7-12
Jonas W, Woodside B. Physiological mechanisms, behavioral and psychological factors influencing the transfer of milk from mothers to their young. Horm Behav. 2016;77:167-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.07.018
Balogun OO, Dagvadorj A, Anigo KM, Ota E, Sasaki S. Factors influencing breastfeeding exclusivity during the first 6 months of life in developing countries: a quantitative and qualitative systematic review. Matern Child Nutr. 2015;11(4):433-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12180
Cook EJ, Powell F, Ali N, Penn-Jones C, Ochieng B, Randhawa G. Improving support for breastfeeding mothers: a qualitative study on the experiences of breastfeeding among mothers who reside in a deprived and culturally diverse community. Int J Equity Health. 2021;20(1):92.
Yang Z, Ding Y, Song S, Zhang Y, Li A, Su M, et al. Factors Affecting the Breastfeeding Duration of Infants and Young Children in China: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1353.
Susilowati S, Wicaksi D. Effect of Early Initiation on Exclusive Breastfeeding in Blindungan Village Blindungan District Bondowoso. Nurs Health J DNHJ. 2021;2(1):23-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36835/dnursing.v2i1.137
Yang Z, Ding Y, Song S, Zhang Y, Li A, Su M, et al. Factors Affecting the Breastfeeding Duration of Infants and Young Children in China: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2023;15(6):1353. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061353
Kordy MN, Ibrahim MA, El-Gamal FM, Bahnassy AA. Factors Affecting the Duration of Breastfeeding in a Rural Population of Saudi Arabia. Asia Pac J Public Health. 1992;6(1):35-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/101053959200600110
Starling J, Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Taylor B. Breast feeding success and failure. Aust Paediatr J. 1979;15(4):271-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.1979.tb01244.x
Henderson A. Emotional labor and nursing: an under-appreciated aspect of caring work. Nurs Inq. 2001;8(2):130-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1800.2001.00097.x
Liben ML, Yesuf EM. Determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in Amibara district, Northeastern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study. Int Breastfeed J. 2016;11(1):7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-016-0067-8
Habib FA. Monitoring the practice and progress of initiation of breastfeeding within half an hour to one hour after birth, in the labor room of King Khalid University Hospital. J Fam Community Med. 2003;10(3):41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8229.97834
Yimer NB, Liben ML. Effects of home delivery on colostrum avoidance practices in North Wollo zone, an urban setting, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study. J Health Popul Nutr. 2018;37(1):4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-018-0134-4
Nguefack F, Ngwanou DH, Moyo GPK, Ejake L, Mah EM, Wafeu G, et al. Reasons for Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation among Newly Delivered Women in Two First-Category Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Open J Pediatr. 2020;10:3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ojped.2020.103048
Cook EJ, Powell F, Ali N, Penn-Jones C, Ochieng B, Randhawa G. Improving support for breastfeeding mothers: a qualitative study on the experiences of breastfeeding among mothers who reside in a deprived and culturally diverse community. Int J Equity Health. 2021;20(1):92. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-021-01419-0
Shekara MH, Shekara MP. Challenges of exclusive breastfeeding among working class women in Vwang community, JOS south local government area, Plateau state, Nigeria. Int J Adv Res Nurs. 2023;6(1):49-57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/nursing.2023.v6.i1.A.300
Bruno Tongun J, Sebit MB, Mukunya D, Ndeezi G, Nankabirwa V, Tylleskar T, et al. Factors associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding: a cross-sectional study in South Sudan. Int Breastfeed J. 2018;13(1):28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-018-0170-0
Okafor AE, Agwu PC, Okoye UO, Uche OA, Oyeoku EK. Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice among Nursing Mothers in rural areas of Enugu State and its Implications for Social Work Practice in Nigeria. Soc Work Public Health. 2018;33(2):140-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2017.1415182
Egata G, Berhane Y, Worku A. Predictors of non-exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months among rural mothers in east Ethiopia: a community-based analytical cross-sectional study. Int Breastfeed J. 2013;8(1):8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-8-8
Sumerianz Publication - Journal Home. Available at: https://www.sumerianz.com/?ic=journal-home& journal=28&info=archive-detail&month=11-2020&issue=11&volume=3. Accessed on 15 April 2025.
Tadesse F, Alemayehu Y, Shine S, Asresahegn H, Tadesse T. Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal employment among mothers of infants from three to five months old in the Fafan zone, Somali regional state of Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):1015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7345-5
Armstrong HC. Breastfeeding as the Foundation of Care. Sage J. 1995;16(4):1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/156482659501600405
Attahiru A, Awosan KJ, Oche MO, Kaoje AU, Yusuf T, Ango UM. Breastfeeding Support and Determinants of Expressed Breast Milk Feeding Practice among Working Mothers in Sokoto, Nigeria. Int J Contemp Med Res. 2018;5(8). DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/ijcmr.2018.5.8.18
Tiyas DW, Murti B, Indarto D. Qualitative Analysis on the Factors Affecting Exclusive Breastfeeding among Working Mothers at Community Health Center in Bangkalan, Madura. J Matern Child Health. 2016;1(2):110-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2016.01.02.06
Kathuria N, Krishnan P, Sinha RK, Lakiang T, Suri J, Kumar R, et al. System Level Barriers in Early Initiation of Breastfeeding- Finding from a Cross-sectional Survey in Khagaria District of State Bihar, India. Indian J Public Health Res Dev. 2020;11(6):665-70.
Mary JJ, Sindhuri R, Kumaran AA, Dongre AR. Early initiation of breastfeeding and factors associated with its delay among mothers at discharge from a single hospital. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2022;65(4):201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2021.00129
Manisha JP, Kumari N, Sarkar U. Study of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding and its Outcome on Third Stage of Labour. Int J Acad Med Pharm. 2023;5(3):1301-4.
Namasivayam V, Dehury B, Prakash R, Becker M, Avery L, Sankaran D, et al. Association of prenatal counselling and immediate postnatal support with early initiation of breastfeeding in Uttar Pradesh, India. Int Breastfeed J. 2021;16(1):26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-021-00372-6
Kuchi S, Sahu S, John J. Too little and too late. Initiation of breast feeding in Odisha, India: An observational study. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(4):1592-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1714_20
Smita, Franz N, Coffey D. The association between cesarean birth and breastfeeding initiation in Odisha, India: A mother fixed effects analysis. PLoS One. 2024;19(2):e0287796. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287796
Patel A, Banerjee A, Kaletwad A. Factors associated with prelacteal feeding and timely initiation of breastfeeding in hospital-delivered infants in India. J Hum Lact. 2013;29(4):572-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334412474718
Sharma S, Chowdhury R, Taneja S, Mazumder S, Bhatia K, Ghosh R, et al. Breastfeeding practices based on the gestational age and weight at birth in the first six months of life in a population-based cohort of infants from North India. Front Pediatr. 2023;11:1127885. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1127885
Stany D, Smitha MV, John J, Mohanty PK. Impact of a quality improvement program: Early initiation of breastfeeding after cesarean section in a tertiary care hospital, in Eastern India. Med J Armed Forces India. 2023;79(3):309-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2021.09.002
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
